Rural Area Support Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "RURAL AREA SUPPORT ACT"; AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 TO CHAPTER 77, TITLE 38 SO AS TO REQUIRE ALL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICIES TO CONTAIN AN APPRAISAL CLAUSE, TO PROHIBIT COLLUSION BETWEEN AUTOMOBILE INSURERS AND VENDORS, TO PROVIDE THAT AN INSURANCE POLICY THAT COVERS A PERSON OPERATING A RENTED OR LEASED VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS IN THE OPERATOR'S POLICY, SHALL BE PRIMARY TO A MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE POLICY IN WHICH THE NAMED INSURED IS A RENTAL COMPANY OR AFFILIATE OF THE RENTAL COMPANY, A QUALIFIED SELF INSURER, AND A BOND POSTED BY A RENTAL COMPANY OR AN AFFILIATE OF THE RENTAL COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLYING WITH FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, TO REQUIRE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS TO FOLLOW MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS, TO ALLOW AN INSURED TO SELECT A VENDOR FOR SERVICES ARISING UNDER AN AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY; TO REQUIRE INSURERS TO UTILIZE SOUTH CAROLINA-OWNED VENDORS FOR AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT OF ITS COVERED SERVICES; AND TO REQUIRE INSURERS TO PAY SALES TAX FOR AUTOMOBILE PAINT WHEN REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CAR PAINTING SERVICES.